Pre Ramadan Reflections

There’s something about the night before Ramadan that just feels different. No more anticipation, it’s here! Taraweeh could start tonight. The month we wait for all year is right at our doorstep.

Before everything begins, I always try to pause and reflect honestly. I ask myself who I want to be by the end of this month and the things I want to have accomplished.

One thing I really recommend is having a Ramadan goals page. Not something overwhelming or unrealistic, just intentional and doable. Goals that actually make sense for your life. Things you know you can commit to.

This year while preparing, I came across my 2025 goals list. In the middle of Ramadan last year, I had written updates beside my goals. Reading it back honestly made me so happy. I had accomplished so many of them. Some were small, some were bigger, but I did them. And I remember at the start of that Ramadan thinking some of those goals would be hard. Seeing that reminded me that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for.

It motivated me to set similar goals for this Ramadan and really hold myself accountable. Because if I could do it one Ramadan, why wouldn’t I be able to do it again? That reflection gave me confidence. It made me want to show up for myself again this year. I even added a few new goals based on what I achieved before because growth should build on growth.

Here are two other things I think help going into Ramadan:

First, start with intention, not pressure. You do not need to be perfect from night one. Go in sincere. Go in wanting change and make sure you want the change to stay with you, not putting your bad habits on pause but instead really trying to change yourself.  Even if you start small, consistency will carry you further than intensity.

Second, focus on quality over quantity. It is easy to turn Ramadan into a checklist. How many pages did I read? How many rakahs did I pray? But sometimes one heartfelt dua where you are fully present is more powerful than rushing through ten things distracted.

Some reflection questions I am asking myself going into this Ramadan are:

1. What habit is holding me back that I need to work on?
   
   
2. If this was my last Ramadan, what would I wish I did differently?
   
   
3. What is one goal that feels uncomfortable but necessary?
   
   
4. Who do I want to be by Eid and for the rest of the year?

Ramadan is about proving to yourself that you can change because you already have before.

If you grew in one Ramadan, you can grow in this one too. And sometimes all it takes is looking back at your own words to realize how much you are actually capable of! That’s why I love making goal pages. 

May this be the Ramadan where we follow through. Where we stay consistent. Where we surprise ourselves in the best way! 🌙